W7: Legend Foundation Review

Hi Lovies!

It seems like it's been forever since my last product review post- what with Christmas and the New Year, and the start of a new term it just felt like time was running away from me. I vow that in 2018 I will be more diligent with my blog posts! So on that note, today's post will be me reviewing the W7 Legend Foundation.

 I've actually had this foundation for a little while now, but I wanted to test it a for some time in different situations to ensure it was a fair review. I've worn this foundation to a black tie event, a works do, on casual days and frequently to work.  This foundation retails for £7.95 direct from the W7 website, although I paid £2.99 from BnM. I've found that out of the two shade I chose, Sand Beige works the best for me and my skin tone. 

So, on to the good bits! Overall, I've found that I really enjoy using this foundation. While I will praise this product for its own merits, I will mention that this has been mentioned as the drug store alternative to Estee Lauder's Double Wear Foundation. Double Wear is a true Holy Grail product to some people and it's personally one of the most raved about foundations I've heard of. In that respect, Legend foundation is a very similar thickness and consistency to Double Wear Foundation, and it offers a similar level of coverage.  

However (shock horror), I don't actually like the Estee Lauder Foundation that much. I've really, really tried to get along with it, but it just doesn't seem to sit well on my skin. In comparison to this, the W7 Legend Foundation is actually a much nicer foundation. Its a full coverage foundation that feels lightweight and breathe-able on the skin. I've used it for special occasions and found that my skin really did look a lot nicer once its been applies. 

As with anything though, there is always a downside to a product. I do find that my skin does go a little bit oilier around my t-zone throughout the day when I'm using it, especially when I wear it to work. In this products defense though, I work in a very busy environment where I'm always running around and I don't have time to touch up my powder throughout the day. I apply this at roughly 7.00 in the morning and it will last till around 4.00 in the afternoon before I really feel like my oils are too noticeable, which with my job is a pretty decent amount of time for a drugstore product. 

Overall, this foundation is definitely a winner for me, especially when considering the price of it! I'll attatch some photos belore to show the difference on my skin when this is applied, and how well other products apply over the top. 

Thanks for reading! xxxxx



Photo 1- Bare skin, Photo 2- Foundation covering half my face, Photo 3- Makeup completed.
Swatch Photos- Natural Beige on  top, Sand Beige on the bottom (I apologise the lighting wasn't the best on the swatch photos)

Below is the same two shades on top, and the shade 2N1 Desert Beige on bottom. It is a little bit warmer/darker than the shade Sand Beige in W7, but they swatch very similar to each other.

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Happy 2018!

Hi Guys!

Yes, I know I'm actually now 21 days late in publishing my 2018 post (hangs head in shame). The New Year just passed in a blur for me, and due to changes in my job in the new term I've not really had time to sit and think for a while. However, I think writing this post from what is basically the middle of January offers a new perspective, different to the kneejerk 'New Year New Me' posts.

So I actually saw in my New year in the most chilled way possible- watching the fireworks on the telly with Ollie, in  my pyjamas. Before this Ollie had treated me to a nice meal in the local pub. This may not be a typical wild night that most 21 year olds have, but it was truly a perfect way to see 2018 in for us.

In the buildup to 2018, I decided (as I normally do) that I wasn't going to be making any resolutions this year. I always feel that the minute I set myself a resolution, I'm destined to fail it, and that actually in 2017 I'd already smashed a typical resolution of quitting smoking, without waiting for a new year to achieve it. 

I did however decide that I would set myself 'Goals'. Now I know that pretty much seems like a resolution, but it allows me to not put so much pressure on myself, and they're not really things I can fail on.

My first goal for 2018 was to increase my water intake. I found that during the day I wasn't drinking enough water, which was led to me developing really bad headaches in the evening. Halfway through the month, I can say for the most part I've definitely stuck to this and can really feel a difference.

My second goal was to continue building on just leading a healthier lifestyle in general. It's not just about loosing weight or numbers on a scale for me- it's continuing developing a healthy relationship with food and taking part in exercise that I really enjoy. Although the food side is still a work in progress (hello Christmas Chocolate), I have started going to Clubbersize classes again, as I'd really missed those.

My final goal for 2018 is for me and Ollie to move into our own place together. We have actually been in a relationship for over six years now, but for most of that we were either young, students or just not in the right place financially. Hopefully, this will be our year and we can finally move into our own place, be it a flat or a house!

So thanks for reading my (late) 2018 post. I hope you've all had a wonderful start ti the New Year, and I'm excited to see where 2018 takes us!xxxxxx

Feel Unique Pick and Mix

Hi lovelies! 

Today I'm going to be talking about one of my little pleasures in life: Product Samples. I'm the sort of person who really begrudges paying full price for a product I may not even like, so I find that samples are the best way for me to try new products without shelling out a fortune.

One of my favourite ways to receive these samples is through the Feel Unique Pick 'N' Mix box. (Here). The Pick 'N' Mix service allows you to choose 5 samples for free- you only have to pay £3.95 for delivery. You are able to choose 5 samples per person per month, and following your purchase you are then emailed a £3.95 discount code that can be used on the Feel Unique website (Not on the Pick 'N' Mix box).

I personally feel that £3.95 a month is a steal considering you get to choose your own 5 sample products, and you get the money back in the form of a discount code for future purchases. There is a range of brands you can choose from, including many brands I wouldn't have even considered trying if I didn't have the option to purchase samples first. I usually aim to choose  two make-up products, two skincare products and and perfume. 

December Pick 'N' Mix

Now onto the good bit! I stuck to my usual 2:2:1 ratio of products when choosing this months box, and I went for brands (except one) which I had never used before.
My makeup samples were: Benefit Ka-Brow! In shades 5 and 6 and Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear in shade 005. Both of these products are highly raved about so I'm very excited to try them out. 

My skincare samples were: Clarins SOS Pure Rebalancing Clay Mask, and Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer. I've heard amazing reviews from both of these brands, but not about the items specifically so I'm looking forward to seeing how they work.

My perfume sample was Angel by Mugler. Now I have tried Alien previously, and I loved it so much I put in a request for it to be bought as my Christmas Present, so I'm hoping I'll really like this one as well. 

As always thank you for reading! If you have any thoughts on the products listed please let me know xxx

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BnM and Morrison's Haul

Hi Lovies!

Today I'm going to be showing my new haul that I got from BnM, and a product I picked up from Morrisons. 

The first product I picked out was the W7 Legend Foundation. I chose two as I was unsure of what shade I would be and there were no testers available, so I went for shade names that sounded similar to those I have purchased before. In the end I opted for Sand Beige and Natural Beige. These retail for £7.95 here, but I picked them up for a mere £2.99 each at BnM. 

I then spotted the NYX Double Stacked Mascara. Its a two step product consisting of a tube of regular mascara and a smaller tube of brush on fibers, designed to create longer lashes when used together. It can be found on the Boots website (and many other retailers) for £14.00. I picked it up at BnM for £3.99.

Just as I was about to leave, I spotted the Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara. Covergirl is a brand not readily available in the UK, so I knew that when I saw it I just had to buy it. I found it listed on Amazon for £10.25, but I was able to purchase it for £2.99.

Finally, I purchased the Academy of Colours Lip Kit from Morrisons. I know it's not a BnM product, but with the nature of this post being about low-cost products I felt I may as well chuck this one in there. I bought the shade Rosie Posie, costing £2.00.

In total, the retail price of these products (excluding the Academy of Colours Lip kit) would have been £40.15 if bought at full price. By purchasing these products in BnM, I only paid £12.96, saving myself £27.19. If these are the sort of products that interest you, it's definitely worth a trip down to BnM as they had loads of other options in store as well. 

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W7 Delicious Palette: Review

Hi Guys! I'm back today with another review-this time on the W7 Delicious Palette. Now I've actually had this palette for a while now, so I decided it was about time I sat down and did a proper review on it. 

This was the first (and currently only) W7 eyeshadow palette I have tested. It's considered a dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette, which I know is so hyped in the beauty industry. Unfortunately, I don't own the ABH palette so have no comparisons of the two, but in swatch photos I've seen they are pretty similar in my own personal opinion. 

I missed the first release of this palette as it sold out so quickly. I then joined a waiting list and was able to grab it the second time around. As it's been a while since I ordered it I don't actually remember how long the delivery took but I can't remember having to wait too long for it. I paid |£12.99 on the W7 website, although various retailers sell it at different prices. It is now listed as being out of stock on their website.

The package arrived wrapped up in bubble wrap to protect the shadows. The outer packaging of the palette is smooth cardboard, whereas I know the ABH version has a velvet/suede texture. I suppose one bonus of the W7 palette is that although it may not look as luxurious as the Modern Renaissance palette, it also won't get as dirty. 

Now I've had the palette for around six months now and I quickly found it being one of my most reached for palettes. It's one of the palettes I always take whenever I'm away from home as I know that I can pull a really quick easy eye look from it as well as more complex looks (if I'm feeling stupid brave). The palette has a decent sized mirror inside which makes it even more useful when travelling with it.
Now the palette doesn't actually have shade names printed on the inside, which makes it hard to describe what my favourite shades are in the palette. If you can be bothered to count, then my favourite ones are:
The second shade in the top row- for all over my lid

The first two shades on the bottom row- for adding depth

the fourth one in on the bottom row- for adding warmth 

The last two shades on both rows- for adding warmth/dimension.

However, my only issue with this palette is the longevity of some of the shades. I find that almost all the shades used tend to just 'disappear' at the end of a day. In addition to this, the shimmer shades seem to dull down after a few hours. As I don't currently own a higher-end palette, I have no idea if this is due to the low price point of the shadows or whether I just don't use a good enough eye primer, so this may be remedied by using a good eyeshadow primer. 

Overall, for the price of this eyeshadow palette I feel like this is a decent product. It blends well, and if I can manage to assemble a half decent look then it can't be that bad! For my first venture into using W7 eyeshadow palettes I'm really impressed with the quality, and I'm now really interested in trying their new 'On The Rocks' palette, which is their dupe for the ABH Subculture palette. 

Below are two images. The top image is taken from the ABH website, showing the Modern Renaissance palette, where the bottom picture is my own picture taken of the Delicious palette. Aside from the obvious lighting differences (my photos are taken using an iPhone) I think they look pretty similar. 

Thanks for reading loves! If you've tried the On the Rocks palette please feel free to share your thoughts xxxx

A photo taken from Anastasia Beverly Hills website.

My own photo of my W7 Delicious palette taken in complete natural lighting 

Blog Lovin

Hi Guys! 

Just a quick one from me today. I've decided to connect my blog to the website Blog Lovin. I've been enjoying reading blogs for years now, but struggled with keeping up with the blogs I enjoy as I wasn't aware of a way to follow them all in one place. Along comes Blog Lovin: a website that does exactly that. Yes I'm a few years late to the party but I've really been enjoying following new blogs the past few weeks. 

It basically reminds me of Instagram but for blogs- It's so easy to use and it will allow me to find new blogs and follow existing blogs in a really easy way, as well as making it easier for others who wish so to follow mine. 

Anyway thanks for reading guys!xxx

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Mario Badescu Essentials Review

Hi Lovelies! 

So today I'm going to be reviewing the Mario Badescu 50th Anniversary Edition set. I've had this set for a while now and wanted to sit down and do a proper review on all the products now I've had time to test them all.  

I ordered the Anniversary Set from Beauty Bay for £32 (It is currently out of stock on their website though).  

It arrived in the box pictured above, with some cardboard separators between the products.  According to Beauty Bay, the set contains "Mario Badescu's bestselling and award winning essentials". Which are:
Drying Lotion,
Enzyme Cleansing Gel,
 Facial Spray with Aloe,
 Herbs and Rosewater,
Flower Tonic Mask
Silver Powder.
The set is rated as four and a half stars on Beauty Bay.

My hands down favourite product in the set is the Drying Lotion. Designed as a spot treatment, I really do feel like this helps to fight them. I wouldn't say it's an overnight cure for spots, but with a few nights of application I definitely notice my spots going away. My method of applying this is to dip a (clean) sponge tip eyeshadow applicator into the pink sediment at the bottom and then dab over any spots. The bottle clearly states to not shake the product, so I don't  know what happens when you actually do, or why you shouldn't do so.

My next favourite item in the set is the Facial spray with Aloe, Herbs and Rosewater. I use this every morning and night, and I also use this on a Thursday after I've been swimming. I find that it helps calm my skin down, especially after being in a swimming pool, and my skin just feels brighter and more refreshed after using it.

After these two items, I would say the other three have had around the same level of impact on me. 

I enjoy using the Enzyme Cleansing Gel as my daily cleanser as it seems gentle on my skin and my skin does generally feel clean after using it. 

I also like using the Flower and Tonic Mask. Straight after wiping it off my skin honestly feels amazing. It feels so clean and smooth, like I've really got the crap out of my skin. However, these results never last for a long time on me, and its a fine line between using a mask like this regularly and overloading your skin, possibly drying it out. 

Finally, there's the Drying Powder. This is such an odd product! I'll start of by saying that I actually love the results of this. I find that it really helps to clear my skin and it reduces the appearance of my pores. I don't really have blackheads so I can't comment on that aspect of the product. However, its such a messy, hard product to use. I followed the instructions on the pot, only for it to go horrendously wrong. I then found the best way to use it was to pretend it was icing sugar, and to add water to the powder in very tiny stages until the desired consistency was reached.

Overall, I was very impressed with the set. It was my first experience of using Mario Badescu products and I would definitely be up for going back and trying more.

Thanks for reading guys, and as always if you have any comments or any suggestions on what I should try next feel free to leave a comment!xxx